Washing machine



Feb. 5, 1929. 1,701,187

F. MAUS Y WASHING uch-NE Filed March 2s, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 1 /Z /20 Y f2l l Y leb 6* /61' ,6a l5 /6 /G l .B I3 /5 I1 @ZMS- Feb. 5, 1929. 1,701,187

F. MAUS WASHING MACHINE Filed Hatch 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mensa sa.. 5,1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

mi IAUS, F BAN FRANCISUO, CALIFORNIA, ABSIGNOB T0 JOHNSON Wm ODIPANY, 0l' OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0I .Application med mmh 26, 1935. Serial No. 18,441.

This invention relates to washing machines, and especially to that type 1n whlch an oscillating tub is employed.

The object of the present in vention 1s to generally improve and simplify the .construction and o eration of machines of the character described; to provide a tub which is adapted to be mounted for oscillation about a vertical axis; to provlde a mounting for the tubwhich permits removal thereof with relation to the said axis and a connecting driving mechanism; to provide a tub in which radiall disposed vanes are formed to transmit motion to the water and clothing contained in the tub; to provide a double set of vanes, one set of vanes near the central axis of oscillation and another set on the inner peripheral surface of the tub; to provide vanes or means whereby a rotary circulation may be set up in the water in a direction outwardly alon the bottom of the tub, and then u wardl a ong the inner surface, and then inward y towards the center at the to thereof; to provide anu er annular deiDector which prevents splas ing and escape of water, thereby eliminating the use of a cover, and also permitting visible observation of the washing operatlon, and also permitting insertion and removalV of clothing while the washing is proceeding; and further, to provide means for heating the water in the tub both when in operation and when stationary.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of the washing machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of a portion of the tub showing a modified form of vane.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly lto Fig. 1, A 1ndicates a base member, the center portion of which is extended upwardly as indicated at 2 to form a bearing 3. Journalled in the bearing is a tubular shaft 4, and connecting wit the lower end thereof is a variable stroke crank mechanism generally indicated at 5. This mechanism is driven by an 'electric motor 6. The variable stroke-crank mechanism transmits an oscillating movement to the shaft 4, and also to a tub generally indicated at B.

This tub is y disposed arms 7 w ch su ported by means of a lu rality of radiali) form a part of a concave shaped disk 7 and a collar 8. The collar is secured to the u per end of the shaft '4, and it rests on to of) the journal member 3, thus releasing t e shaft of the weight of the tub and the water and the clothing contained.

The bottom of the tub is provided with lugs, such as shown at 9. Screws 10 are carried by the arms 7, and a detachable connection is thus formed between the tub and the arms 7, which permit removal of the tub from time to time, as desired. The screws 10, arms 7, and lugs 9 also form a driving connection between the shaft and the tub, and an oscillating movement is therefore also transmitted to the tub.

The tub proper is preferably circular in i shape. It consists of an annular continuous sidewall 11, and a bottom section 12. The center portion of the bottom section is raised to form a cone shaped member as indicated at 13. This member forming a continuation of the bottomsection, causes the bottom to assume a slope,as shown in Fig. 1, and a rounded portion 13 forms a connection between the sloping bottom and the annular side wall 11.

Formed as an integral part of the bottom section 12 or ends secured thereto, are a plurality of radially dis osed interspaced vanes 15, and formed in t e inner surface of the annular side wall of the tub are a similar pair of vanes, as indicated at 16. It will be noted that the vanes 15 and 16 are separated with relation to each other, so that two sets of independent vanes are formed. A s ace 17 is thus formed between the outer en s of the vanes 15 and the lower ends of the vanes 16, this space forming a vcontinuous communication or passage between the pockets 18 formed between the vanes. It will also be noted that the Continous passa e 17 is positioned at the lowest point o the bottom section 12. This is also of importance, as it permits complete drainage of water from etween the vanes 15 when the tub is to be emptied, an suitable drain connection being provide as indicated at 19. i

The vanes 16 taper from the lower to the upper ends, and t ey are substantially verticalrll disposed. T e form incline faces as in 'cated at 16* an 16", which serve the function of deflecting the water, as will hereinafter be described.

Secured to the upper rim of the tub land on .ing plate 20. This plate is also provided with vanes, as indicated at 21, and these vanes align with the vanes and 16 and cooperate therewith. The deilecting plate is turned inwardly and downwardly, and it also serves the function of deflecting the water in the tub, as will hereinafter be described.

The variable throw crank mechanism, together with the driving motor shown forms the subject matter of my copending application entitled Driving mechanism for washing machines, led -March 416, 1925, Serial No. 15,837. It is therefore thought unnecessary to enter into the detailed construction t ereof. Suice it to'saythat the variable stroke crank mechanism serves the function to transmitan oscillating movement to shaft 4, collar 8, arms 7, and the tub B secured and supported thereto, the oscillating movement together with the vanes 15, 16 and 21 being depended upon to impart motion and velocity to the water in the tub.

The operation will'flbe as follows: The clothes to be washed, together with a suitable quantitiy of water and soap or any other suitable cleansing medium, are placed in the tub. The motor 6 is started and as it drives the variable crank mechanism 5, it can readily be seen that the oscillating movement will be transmitted to the tub. The vanes 15, 16 and 21 immediately set up a rotary motion of the water about a horizontal axis; that is, the vanes-15' tend to throw the water outwardly against the inner annular side of the tub. The vanes 16 receive the water, thus thrown outwardly, and guides it upwardly towards the vanes 21 and the di iecting plate 20. These last named vanes and plates in turn deflect the water inwardly and downwardly against the central cone extension 13, and thus in turn defiects the water downwardly between the vanes 15 and outwardly along the bottom section 12.

This rotary motion of the water takes place in each pocket 18, and as the pockets are all in communication with each other, due to the annular passage 17, it is obvious that the water is not only circulating from one washing pocket to another, but it is also rotating in each pocket. The motion of the water lis also reversed with each oscillation and the clothing contained is thus subjected to the currents of water under considerable velocity which are travelling in different directions, the main direction being rotation about a horizontal axis, as previously stated.

The water placed in the tub may be heated if desired, or it may be heated after it is placed in the tub by means of a gas burner, such as shown at 30. This burner is fed by gas pipe 31 entering through the base and ,collect in the concave shaped disk 7 form extending upwardly throu h the hollow shaft 4, the amount of gas delivered being controlled by a valve 32. An asbestos deecting plate 33 is secured in the cone extension 13, and this drives the heat outwardly and under the bottom of the tub. l

In actual practice it has been found tha if the water in the tub is heated, considerable sweatinur takes place under the bottom of the tub when the burner is rst'started. Any sweating which will occur in the present instance drop downwardly and wil ing a part of the collar 8 and the arms 7. This disk also becomes warmer due to the reflected heat in the burner 30, and an Waterthus collected is gradually evaporated. The burner may be in operation when the tub is standing stationary, and it may also be heatin the water when the machine i in operation.

The annular deiiecting plate 2O is an im portant feature of the present invent-ion as it rst cooperates with the vanes 15, 16 an 21 to maintain a rotary circulation of the water. Secondly, it prevents splashing and escape of water when the machine is in operation. It eliminates the necessity of a cover It permits visible observation of the wash ing operation, and it permits insertion an removal of clothes as washing proceeds.

The cone shaped member 13 is also an important feature, as it helps to form the inclined bottom 12. It assists in driving th water during its circular rotation. I forms an annular washing chamber within the tub, and it furthermore prevents tangling of the clothing by preventing the clothing from collecting in the center portion o the tub.

The separation of the vanes 15 and 16 by forming the annular passage 17 is als important, as it permits circulation of water from one pocket to another, and it also permits complete drainage when the water is to be removed. It may further be stated that it is of importance, as it permits a small amount of water to be placed in the tub when comparatively few articles of clothing are to be washed. That is, a small quantity of water has a tendency to work back and forth between the pockets and the washing action is obtained by the reversed movement of Asuch water in the passage 17. When `a larger volume of water is placed in the tub, rotary circulation takes place, as previously explained in conjunction with a transfer of water from one pocket to another. This rotary motion is the ideal motion, as it always insures submersion and changing of position of the clothing being washed, thus exposing each article to the diierentwater currents and velocities imparted thereto. s

While the vanes 16 are illustrated in one form in Figs. l and 2, it is obvious that they may assume the shape shown in Fig. 3.

While I have shown the preferred form 3f my invention as now known to me, I Wish it understood that various changes may be made in its construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as :leiined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a washing machine, a circular tub mounted for oscillation about a vertical axis, a vertically disposed cone shaped member in the center of the tub and forming a part of the bottom thereof, said cone shaped member forming an annular washing chamber Within the tub adapted to receive water and clothes to be washed, a plurality of radially disposed interspaced vanes formed in the bottom of the tub, a plurality of radially disposed interspaced vanes formed in the inner side of the tub and vertically disposed, said vanes and the irst named vanes dividing the-annular washing chamber into a plu rality of pockets, and said first and last named vanes being separated so that a communicating annular passage is formed between the pockets.

2. In a washing machine, a circular tub mounted for oscillation about a vertical axis, a vertically disposed cone shaped member in the center of the tub and forming a part of the bottoni thereof, said cone shaped member forming an annular washing chamber within the tub adapted to receive water and clothes to be washed, a plurality of radially disposed interspaced vanes formed in the bottom of the tub, a plurality of radially disposed interspaced vanes formed in the inner side ot the tub and vertically disposed, said vanes and the lirst named vanes dividin the annular washing chamber into a plura ity of pockets, said lirst and last named vanes being separated so that a communicating annular passage is formed between the pockets, and an annular deflecting plate secured interior of the tub adjacent the upper end thereof. l

3. In a washing machine, a circular. tub mounted for oscillation about a Vertical axis, a vertically disposed cone shaped member in the center of the tub and forming a partof the bottom thereof, said cone shaped member forming an annular washing chamber within the tub adapted to receive water and clothes to be washed, a plurality of radially disposed interspaced vanes formed in the bottom of the tub, a plurality of radially disposed interspaced vanes formed in the inner side of the tub and vertically disposed, said vanes and the first named vanes dividing the annular washing chamber into a plurality of pockets, said first and last named vanes being separated so that a communieating annular passage is formed between the pockets, and an annular deflecting plate securedinterior of the tub adjacent the upper end thereof, and vanes formed on the lower side'of said plate and in alignment with said first and last named vanes.

4. In a washing machine, a cylindrical shaped tub comprising a bottom section and an annular substantially vertically disposed side wall, a plurality of vanes radially disposed in the bottom of the tub and vertically positioned, said vanes increasing in vertical height and area towards their outer ends, and a plurality of interspaced vertically disposed vanes on the inner surface of the side wall, said vanes increasing in area towards their upper ends, the outer ends of the first-named vanes and the lower ends of the second-named vanes being separated.

5. In a washing machine, a cylindricalshaped tub comprisin a bottom section and an annular substantia ly vertically disposed side wall, a plurality of vanes radially disposed in the ottom of the tub and vertically positioned, said vanes increasing in vertical height and area towards their outer ends, a plurality of interspaced vertically disposed vanes on the inner surface of the side wall, said vanes increasing in area towards their upper ends, the outer ends of the Erst-named vanes and the lower ends of the secondnamed vanes being separated, and an annular deflecting plate disposed above the second-named vanes.

6. In a washing machine, a cylindrical shaped tub comprising a bottom section and an annular substantially vertically disposed side wall, a plurality of vanes radially disposed in the bottom of the tub, a plurality of interspaced vanes on the inner surface of the side wall, an annular deflecting plate in the upper part of the tub, and vanes formed on the lower face of said plate and in alignment with the first and last named vanes.-

FRANK MAUS. 

